9.21.14 CSI Workshop with 4H Club along Coopers Branch in Oella

The Patapsco Heritage Greenway partnered with a local 4H Group (and one of our newest stream watchers -- Phila Hoopes) for a combination CSI - Creek Scene Investigation Workshop and Stream cleanup on Sunday, September 21, along a section of Coopers Branch, which runs parallel to the Number 9 Trolley Trail in Oella. Participants discovered the diverse macroinvertebrates they found in the stream. Simple water quality chemical tests were also conducted.

A third part of today's activity included picking up trash in the stream and along the stream banks, weighing an estimated 25 pounds of trash removed by these energetic workers! Some of the more interesting items we removed today include plastic bags, cans, bottles (Red Bull, Sprite and beer), carpet pieces, beverage tops, plastic soda rings, Sunchips and other fast food wrappers, and a rusty iron pole (used to be part of a fence post).

Special thanks to 4H Leader & Organizer, Andrew Wilson for helping to set up this opportunity for the 4Hers! This workshop was to encourage participants to discover stream life and understand the types of tests taken to determine water quality, as well as try to determine the causes of any pollution. Special thanks to our CSI Captain Team members -- Betsy McMillion, Drew Henderson Pete McCallum, Van Wensil, Ashley McAvoy, and college interns Human Heidarian and Josh Marcus who helped make this workshop a big success!

Great job everyone. What a great day for learning, fun and cleaning up a section of the Patapsco River Valley